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Curated by Project Syndicate

The Middle East Exchange

56 commentaries

In the face of regional turmoil, exacerbated by the rise of the Islamic State, many Arab governments are embracing a new solution-oriented agenda – focused on economic diversification, improved education systems, and private-sector-led growth – to stimulate reform and development. In “The Middle East Exchange” Project Syndicate, in partnership with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, provides a unique global platform to help frame and stimulate regional and global debate on the vital development issues shaping Arab societies.

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  1. Ending Religious Violence in the Middle East
    Sharia law, refugee camp in Pakistan Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images

    Ending Religious Violence in the Middle East

    Dec 8, 2016 Moha Ennaji argues that the problem is not Islam, but inadequate social and economic policies.

  2. Training for Gender Equality
    Female dentist students Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images

    Training for Gender Equality

    Dec 1, 2016 Arib Ali Al-Mandhari recommends strategies for empowering women to play a more active role in Middle Eastern societies.

  3. Egypt and Tunisia’s Divergent Paths
    4th anniversary of Egypt Revolution Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

    Egypt and Tunisia’s Divergent Paths

    Nov 22, 2016 Ishac Diwan explores how each country's political system will determine its future economic prospects.

  4. An Economic Ultimatum for the Arab World
    5 year anniversary of Arab Spring Fethi Belaid/Getty Images

    An Economic Ultimatum for the Arab World

    Nov 16, 2016 Marwan Muasher says that unless Arab countries move away from rentierism, they risk another wave of uprisings.

  5. The Secret of Dubai’s Success
    Dubai Skyline Andrew Holbrooke/Getty Images

    The Secret of Dubai’s Success

    Nov 11, 2016 Yasser Al-Saleh explains how a city-state with limited resources became a global economic and cultural hub.

  6. Can Lebanon Escape the Resource Curse?
    Beruit Skyline Anwar Amro/Getty Images

    Can Lebanon Escape the Resource Curse?

    Nov 3, 2016 Nasser Saidi says the country could transform itself with oil and gas production if it adopts key reforms now.

Our Pick

Featured

  1. nishtar8_AMAURY HAUCHARDAFP via Getty Images_africavaccine Amaury Hauchard/AFP via Getty Images
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    Fifty Years of Immunization Success Call for 50 More

    Sania Nishtar touts the remarkable results of global collaboration on routine vaccination and foresees continued progress.
  2. GettyImages-2149550584 Photo by MARK PETERSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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    Trump on Trial

    From a long list of criminal indictments to unfavorable voter demographics, there is plenty standing between presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump and a second term in the White House. But a Trump victory in the November election remains a distinct possibility – and a cause for serious economic concern.

  3. woods56_Alex WongGetty Images_georgieva Alex Wong/Getty Images
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    The IMF Chose the Right Leader the Wrong Way

    Ngaire Woods thinks the Fund’s process for selecting its managing director is woefully out of step with today’s world.
  4. bildt122_Mikhail SvetlovGetty Images_trumpputin Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images
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    Trump Is Putin’s Only Hope Now

    Carl Bildt considers the implications of Ukraine finally receiving the Western military aid it has been waiting for.
  5. frankel159_Getty Images_customer service Getty Images
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    How to Rebuild Trust in Public Institutions

    Eleanor Carter & Carolyn J. Heinrich highlight the value of face-to-face interactions at a time when governments are phasing out in-person services.
  6. isenberg1_TIMOTHY A. CLARYPOOLAFP via Getty Images_trumptrial Timothy A. Clary/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
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    Is Trump Above the Law?

    Nancy Isenberg

    Contrary to what former US President Donald Trump would have the American public believe, no president enjoys absolute immunity from criminal prosecution. To suggest otherwise is to reject a bedrock principle of American democracy: the president is not a monarch.

     explains why the US Supreme Court must reject the former president's claim to immunity from prosecution.
  7. deryugina1_BEN BIRCHALLPOOLAFP via Getty Images_ukraineflagsoldier Ben Birchall/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
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    Ukraine Is Far From Doomed

    Tatyana Deryugina & Anastassia Fedyk

    When comparing Ukraine’s situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible. But it will require the West, and the US in particular, to put aside domestic political squabbles and muster the political will to provide Ukraine with consistent and robust military and financial assistance.

     compare Russia's full-scale invasion to World War II and see reason to hope – as long as aid keeps flowing.
  8. glennerster2_Scott OlsonGetty Images)_vaccines Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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    The Pandemic Financing Developing Countries Need

    Rachel Glennerster urges multilateral development banks to establish mechanisms that enable at-risk vaccine purchases.
  9. krueger74_AFP via Getty Images_nigercoup AFP via Getty Images
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    The Geopolitics of Africa’s Debt Crisis

    Anne O. Krueger urges developed countries to back efforts by the IMF and the World Bank to promote growth-enhancing reforms.

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